Beat The GMAT a GMAT & MBA community

Hi All,

It's my very first post. Alittle about me. I wouldn't necessarily consider myself a very intelligent person nor a natural writer but I did get solid grades on exams and essay's (generally speaking) in college. However, I had to study hours upon hours and edited my essays a dozen times or more. In order to excel like some people, I had to prepare a lot more. The few times I did not prepare, I either did average or got killed.

After some grueling months at work, I now have time to commit to studying for the GMAT. I just took my first class at Manhattan GMAT yesterday and took their practice exam and got killed. Scored a 500. The timing just totally messed me up. Initially, I got distraught. Then I remembered, I didn't even study.

The only reason I took it this early is because I had to for class. I am very competitive, so I need to do much better.

I will post a blog on here in every two weeks.

QUESTION:

For the people who scored 600+ on the practice test - how long did you study for? And how many hours per day & days per week??

Please don't get discouraged so quickly! You can definitely do it!!

I agree with Eric...a few hours on weeknights and then more on weekends is a good way to prep. Try to do practice questions on weeknights, one question type at a time. That way you can pick up patterns in your errors more easily. Keep an error log too.

Then do a full practice question each weekend, and take time to review your progress there too. If you're answering questions correctly in untimed practice, but not on the full tests, then you need to work on timing, concentration, nerves, etc. If you're you're struggling on both, then focus more on your errors and mastering the fundamentals before you take any more practice tests.

Hope this helps!

WOW. thanks for the encouragement.

I have been following the Manhattan GMAT program (it's still early). I will definitely update my progress. This week I have put in 2.5 hours a day of studying, I'll probably put in about 90 on Saturdays and Sundays. There will be days I will probably put in 45 to 60 minutes and days I put in 3 hours or so. Need some time for myself as well. Do not want to fry my brain.

Although I have not registered for the official exam, I plan on taking it at the very beginning of June. I was a little discouraged, but now I have gained some confidence. I just see this as a challenge that I will conquer.

Like just about everyone - My goal is 700+.

Stacey, it is clear to me what my weaknesses are and what my strengths are. I will have to cater more to those weaknesses.

Take II

Got a 600 on the MGMAT practice exam. Still not happy with my performance.

43Q 30V

I got killed in both the CR and RC. Mind you, I did only 7 practice CR problems and no RC problems. I was focusing on the SC and got much better, although I have not mastered it. I need to break 38 or better.

The math I feel I can break 50 and was somewhat displeased with my score. I should at least break 47.

I will definitely take that under consideration. What does a 47Q and a 35V get you? Is there a site that can tell me what certain Q/V combos get???